Fluid Thickeners in Patients with Mild Dysphagia
10.34160/jkds.2023.13.1.003
- Author:
Yeon Gyu JEONG
1
;
Hyun Im MOON
Author Information
1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, DMC Bundang Jesaeng Hospital, Seongnam, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:
Journal of the Korean Dysphagia Society
2023;13(1):15-23
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objective:To compare the changes in blood urea nitrogen/creatinine (BUN/Cr) ratio, a dehydration status indicator, among patients with mild dysphagia depending on the addition of fluid thickeners.
Methods:A total of 81 patients who underwent serial dietary trials of the videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and displayed penetration signs with a penetration-aspiration scale of 4 or less during the liquid trials were enrolled and classified into two groups according to the dietary instructions from the VFSS results. Group A comprised patients who were permitted to freely consume water with a regular diet. Group B comprised patients allowed to take a regular diet but with the addition of a fluid thickener while ingesting water. To analyze whether the patients of each group were dehydrated, we calculated the serum BUN/Cr ratio using blood tests, which were performed within 1 week of the VFSS test date and 1 month later.
Results:There were 4 cases of suspected pneumonia within 1 month after the VFSS test, with no significant differences between the two groups. The BUN/Cr ratio of the 1-month follow-up blood test when compared to the initial blood test showed a significant decrease in Group A (P=0.022) compared with Group B (P=0.033).
Conclusion:Patients with mild dysphagia who consumed water freely showed a decrease in the BUN/Cr ratio compared to those who added fluid thickeners to their drinking water.
